Shipping container cover fastener



v Feb. 9,1937. M H|LE 2,070,274

SHIPPING CONTAINER COVER FASTENER Filed March 29, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 9, 1937. M- H|LE v 2,070,274

SHIPPING CONTAINER COVER FASTENER Filed March 29, 1954 4 sheets-sheet 5' Feb. 9, 1937. l.. M. HlLE 2,070,234

lSHIPPING CONTINER COVER FASTENER Filed March 29, 1934 4 shams-sheet 4 Patented Feb. 9, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 12 Claims.

This invention relates to wire fasteners for the covers of containers, and more particularly to cover fasteners for wire-bound boxes or crates.

Generally stated, the object of the invention is 5 to provide a novel and improved construction and arrangement whereby cover fasteners are formed by the opposite ends of a wire stapled to material, in which each end portion of the wire is provided with a loop projecting beyond the edge of the material, with a substantial twist to maintain the loop, and in which the end of the wire leading from one end of each twist is inserted in the material to which the body of the wire is stapled, to prevent injury to the hands or clothing.

It is also an object to provide certain details of construction and specific method steps tending to increase the efficiency and the desirability of a wire fastener of this particular character, and of the method of production thereof.

To the foregoing and other useful ends, the invention consists in matters hereinafter set forth and claimed and shown in the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is a plan view of a wirebound box blank showing the binding wires with the projecting straight ends with which they are left when the blanks leave the machine on which they are made.

Fig. 2 is a perspective of a box ma-de from the said blank, showing the said wire ends formed into cover fasteners, the kind that embody the principles of the invention.

Figs. 3, 4, and 5 are perspective views illustrating certain steps in the method of making or producing the said fasteners.

Figs. 6 and 7 are similar views illustrating certain steps in the method of using the said fasteners.

Figs. 8, 9, and l are similar views illustrating another method of making said fasteners.

Figs. 11, 12, and 13 are similar views illustrating another method of making the fasteners.

Figs. 14, l5, and 16 are similar views illustrating another method of making the fasteners.

As thus illustrated, referring to Figs. 1 to 7, inclusive, the invention comprises a pair of interengaging loops I and 2 on the ends of a binding wire 3 that is secured to the blank, and to the ultimate box, by staples 4, in the usual manner. The box blank and box shown have three binding wires, but any suitable or desired number may be employed. The loop I is on the end of the binding wire that is attached to the front side 5 of the box, while the loop Z is on the en d of the binding wire that is attached to the cover 6 of the box, which cover is folded down to close the box. The loopy l is then inserted when closing the box through the loop 2, as shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings, and the loops l and 2 are then bent down in the manner shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings. This fastens the cover in closed position, but the loop l can be straightened to unfasten the cover, when it is desired to remove or inspect the contents of the box.

As shown in Figs. 3, 4, and 5, the loops are formed as follows: In Fig. 3, the end portion of the binding wire 3 has been bent upwardly, so that it will extend practically perpendicularly to the flat blank. Then the end portion is bent down as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings. Thereafter, the end of the wire is inserted through the veneer 6, as shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings, and clinched on the under side thereof. Then, as shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings, the substantial twist 1 is formed in the wire to maintain the loop, so that the latter will not loosen or pull away after the cover is closed and while the box or crate is being transported or handled. Inasmuch as the end portion 8 of the wire is inserted through the veneer and clinched on the under side of the latter, it follows that protection is afforded to the hands and the clothing of those who have to handle boxes and crates of this kind. But, of course, even without this clinch, the loop is strong and substantial, as the twist alone is suicient to maintain the loop formation, as the twist insures against any pulling away of either loop when they are in the final condition shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings.

As shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 10 of the drawings, the method of producing the looplike fasteners is similar to that previously described, but in this case the twist 9 is formed before the end portion l0 of the wire is inserted through the veneer 6 and clinched on the under side thereof. Fig. 8 shows the step preliminary to the twisting, Fig. 9 shows the result of the twisting, and Fig. 10 shows the end portion I0 in its final position.

In Figs. 11, 12, and 13, the method of making the fasteners is similar to that previously described, but in this case, as shown in Fig. 12, the wire is not bent upwardly, but is simply bent back into its horizontal plane, and the end porftion Il is then inserted through the veneer 6, as shown. Thereafter, the twist l2 is formed in the wire, so that the final result is the same as shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings, before the blank is folded and before the cover is closed and fastened in place.

As shown in Figs. 14, 15, and 16, the method is similar to that shown in Figs. 11, 12, and 13, except that in this case, the twist i3 is formed in the wire before the end portion lll is inserted through the veneer 6 and clinched on the under side of the latter.

It is made clear, therefore, that the substantial twist formed in the wire, thereby to maintain the loop formation of the fastener, can be effected either before or after the end of the wire is inserted through the veneer and clinched on the under side thereof, in-asmuch as the said insertion and clinching is merely for the purpose of eliminating a sharp exposed wire end-thatl might injure the hands or clothingof ythose who l have to handle boxes and crates`of this kind. The method, in any of the forms shown and de'- scribed, can be practiced by hand, and each form f.

Vcomprises two lengths of the wire, each coiled around the other, thereby providing an interlocking twist that prevents any slippage therein. Again, it will be seen that the relative arrangement may be such that the twist of one loop will engage the bite of the other loop, as shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings, when the fastener is in use to hold the cover in closed position. This makes a strong hook of one loop to firmly grip the bite of the other loop, which is not liable to become loosened. But the hook can be straightened, to release the cover, when it is desired to remove the contents of the box. And, obviously, the loops thus formed in the ends of binding wires are preferably, but not necessarily, integral with said wires.

Looking at Fig. 6 of the drawings, for example, it is clear that the clinched end portion 8 of the wire is not depended upon to keep the fastener from giving way or releasing the cover of the box, as a result of rough handling. Obviously, the end portion 8 could pull out of the veneer, and still the fastener would not give way or become unfastened, as the double helical coil 'l would maintain the loop formation of the fastener, the flaring of the legs of the loop, so to speak, between the twist l and the staple 4, which results in bringing the twist 'l out of alignment with the body of the Wire 3, being merely for convenience and expediency in the manufacture of the box blanks with these fasteners by suitable machinery. In each form of the invention, therefore, the insertion of the sharp end of the wire in the veneer is merely to protect the hands and clothing of those who are required to handle these boxes, after they are loaded and closed.

While the wire fasteners shown and described are shown in use on a wirebound box, it is obvious that they can also be used on wirebound crates that are ventilated by the provision of openings in the side walls thereof, and on other Y more or less similar shipping containers.

The exact form of the bite of the loop, in each form of the invention, is not important, but it is preferable to make the one on the side of the box narrower than the one on the cover of the box, so that the former can be inserted through the latter in the manner shown more clearly in Figs. 6 and '7 of the drawings.

The twist in the wire is in the nature of a constriction, preferably permanent, and a constriction may be formed in any suitable or desired manner, either before or after the wire is inserted in the wall.

Thus it will be seen that the method involves both the twisting of the wire and the insertion of the free ends of the wire in the cover and side wall of the container, all in such a manner that both the twist and the inserted free end of the wire, in each case, is free from engagement with any of the staples 4 employed for securing the binding wire in place, in such a manner that the twist is between the open loop and the inserted end of the wire, in each form of the invention.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that each entire binding wire is necessarily exposed on the exterior of the box, with the exception of the extreme endportions of the wire, which ends are inserted in the materials of the box, so that each loop has a double anchorage, at the point of insertion and at the point where the other portion of the wire is held by the staple, and each loop has a substantial twist between the open portion of the loop and the two flaring portions that lead to the two points of anchorage, as shown in the drawings.

With the twist 1 offset or out of line with the body'of the wire, as shown in Figs. 6 and '7 of the drawings, it will be seen that each twist is in effect provided with a pair of diverging legs, one stapled at its end and the other inserted as stated. In this way the pull on the loop is communicated through the twist to the staple and the point of insertion, substantially equally.

While the cover 6, in the embodiment of the invention shown and described, is hinged at one edge to the rear wall of the box, it is obvious that any container cover is a part of the container, regardless of how it is secured to the latter, and that the invention is susceptible of use on containers of different kinds, to fasten the cover thereof in place.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In a container, a wire fastener for the cover thereof, comprising loops formed on the opposite ends of a binding wire for a box or crate, one loop being adapted to be inserted through the other and bent back upon itself to form a hook in which the other is held, each loop having a substantial twist to maintain the loop formation thereof, with each twist forming a part of the encircling continuity of said wire, when the loops are engaged with each other to close the container, and each loop having the end of the wire inserted in an adjacent wall of the container to protect the hands and clothing against injury, and the entire wire necessarily being exposed on the exterior of the container, excepting each inwardly inserted end thereof.

2. A structure as specified in claim 1, comprising two lengths of the wire, each coiled around the other, thereby to prevent the twist from loosemng.

3. A structure as specified in claim 1, the twist of one loop engaging the bite of the other loop when the two loops are inter-engaged to fasten the cover in place.

4. In a container, a wire fastener for the cover thereof, comprising loops so formed on the opposite ends of a binding wire stapled in place on a box or crate that the bent back end portions of the wire are free from all staples, one loop being adapted to be passed through the other and bent back upon itself to form a hook in which the other is held, each loop having a substantial constriction to maintain the loop formation thereof, entirely external of the container, with each restriction forming a part of the encircling continuity of said wire, when one loop is engaged with the other to close the container, and each loop having the free end of the wire at the inner end of said constriction inserted inwardly and separately from any other portion of the wire in an adjacent wall of the container to protect the hands and clothing against injury, whereby said constriction is between the open loop and the said inserted free end of the wire, and all portions of the wire excepting said inwardly inserted free ends are on the outer surface of the container.

5. In a container, a wire fastener for the cover thereof, comprising loops so formed on the opposite ends of a binding wire stapled in place on a box or crate that the bent back end portions of the wire are free from said staples, one loop being adapted to be passed through the other and bent back upon itself to form a hook in which the other is held, each loop having a substantial twist to maintain the loop formation thereof, entirely external of the container, and each loop having the free end of the wire at the inner end of said twist inserted inwardly and separately from any other portion of the wire in an adjacent wall of the container to protect the hands and clothing against injury, whereby said twist is between the open loop and said inserted free end of-the wire, and all portions of the wire excepting said inserted free ends are on the outer surface of the container.

6. A structure as specified in claim 5, each twist being out of line with the main body of the wire, so that two portions of the wire converge to the inner end of the twist.

7. A structure as specified in claim 5, each twist being out of line with the main body of the wire, so that two portions of the wire converge to the inner end of the twist, with a staple on the wire spaced a distance laterally from the inserted wire end. Y

8. In a cover fastener for containers, wire stapled to material and having a cover fastener loop on each end thereof, projecting beyond the edge of the material, formed by twisting the wire to perpetuate the loop formation, said wire being stapled to the material at points adjacent each twist, so that the pull on each loop, when the cover is closed, is communicated through the twist to the staple, and each twist having its free end portion spaced from the adjacent staple and inserted and anchored in the material, thereby to protect the hands and clothing against in Jury.

9. A structure as specified in claim 8, in which there are a plurality of said staple insertion points on the top of the cover, each adjacent its allotted twist and end portion.

10. A structure as specified in claim 8, in which the twist is offset and out of line with the body of the wire, so that in effect the twist has two diverging leg portions, one stapled at its end, and the other inserted as stated.

11. A structure as specied in claim 3, in which there are a plurality of said end portions, each extending a distance over the cover and clinched on the under side of the cover, whereby all wire portions are external of the container, with the exception of said clinched ends.

12. A structure as specified in claim 8, in which there are a plurality of said twists each resting upon the upper surface of the marginal portion of the cover, with the loop of each twist extending a distance beyond the edge of the cover.

LESLIE M. HILE. 

